The USPTO provides direct assistance to applicants and IP owners via several services:
- Pro Se Assistance Center provides outreach and education to applicants who file patent applications without the assistance of a registered patent attorney or agent (also known as "pro se" applicants).
- Application Assistance Unit provides assistance with a broad range of questions and issues pertaining to pre-examination processing of patent applications by the Office of Patent Application Processing (OPAP) and the post-examination processing of patent applications by the Office of Data Management (ODM).
- Patent Electronic Business Center assists customers with the various Patent Electronic Systems which include filing and reviewing their electronic patent application submissions via Patent Center, as well as supporting customers using Patent Public Search.
- Other free services such as consultations, webinars, and directories of IP attorneys.
- All learning and resources offered by the USPTO
